Ion Gyro-Harmonic Structures In Stimulated Emission Excited By X-Mode High Power Hf Radio Waves At Eiscat

The distinctive features of the ion gyro-harmonic discrete structures in the narrowband stimulated electromagnetic emission (NSEE) spectra (within +/- 1 kHz of the heater frequency), excited by an extraordinary (X-mode) polarized high frequency (HF) pump wave in the F-region of the high latitude ionosphere, are reported. Results were obtained from three sets of experiments at the EISCAT (European incoherent Scatter) HF Heating facility at pump frequencies of 5.423, 6.77 and 7.953 MHz, which are below the fourth, fifth, and sixth electron gyro-harmonics. High power HF radio waves were radiated in the magnetic field-aligned direction with an effective radiated power of 238-740 MW. Discrete spectral features, ordered by the ion gyro frequency (for O+ ions), were recorded at a large distance (1,200 km) away from the Heating facility. Up to 10 downshifted discrete ion gyro-harmonic structures paired with the upshifted spectral components (Stokes and anti-Stokes modes) in the NSEE spectra have been excited in the course of these experiments. It was found that preconditioning effects have a significant impact on the temporal evolution of the discrete spectral structures. The ion gyro-harmonic structures coexisted with field-aligned artificial irregularities (FAIs). Comparing the NSEE and EISCAT incoherent scatter radar observational results, it was concluded that the electron accelerations along and across the geomagnetic field coexist during X-mode heating. The magnetized stimulated Brillouin scatter and stimulated ion Bernstein scatter are discussed as relevant processes for the observed multiple down- and upshifted ion gyro-harmonic structures in the NSEE spectra.